Game 4 day (updated)

These are long days for you guys, and I apologize that there’s not much to report other than this:

1) Chris Drury will play tonight. He may play the wing, or he might play limited minutes with Brandon Dubinsky centering the second line. Dubinsky played a great game there in Game 1.

2) Paul Mara, who did not practice Tuesday, will also play, as expected.

3) The Washington Post says that the Ovechkin-Backstrom post-game celebration is something they’ve done after every win, something they picked up watching the Orlando Magic in an NBA game.

4) Ovechkin was on the home bench at MSG this morning again, but this time it was during the Capitals’ morning skate, and with several teammates. Some of the Caps on ice mockingly called for Ovechkin to be removed.

5) Matt Gilroy is expected to be in the building for a media conference this evening. He was supposed to be at Game 3, but his flight was grounded in Boston due to weather. I may have a couple of remarks from him in the game thread later.

I’m on my way to MSG. I’ll leave you with the latest version of the Playoff Beard contest slideshow.

The Rangers also announced that Game 3 was the highest rated game on MSG Network in more than 10 years. “The game delivered a 2.72 HH RTG, making it the highest rated Rangers game on MSG since April 22, 1997 when the Rangers played the Florida Panthers in the first round of the NHL playoffs (3.04 HH RTG),” according to the press release.

I think we got to take a run at the kid tonight, we have to rattle him a bit and then protect Henrik. It’s a new day and it’s a New game a New Day lets go up 3-1 on these guys. We haven’t played our best game yet in this series. I as always remain cautiously optimistic,

As agonizing as it is for us fans, it must be even brutal for you guys to wait around and try to muster up stories when there is not much brewing at these morning skates and the seven hours between the skate and the game. For that, I salute you!

Rangers cannot let the Caps just walk into their zone this game. Stand up at the blueline and give them hell. Use the body and not follow the puck. Also, if I were the Rangers I would throw every shot from all spots on the ice at this goalie. This is a young goalie that is gaining confidence and throwing every shot at the net would help with getting some lucky bounces and rebounds from our players. Of course it would help if they hit the net and not the glass or boards half the time.

As for Avery’s irritant role, Ovechkin said: “I think it’s his job and everybody knows it. That’s why he plays in the NHL. He’s a great player, but kind of a guy who disrespects the team’s goalie, kind of like he did last year against Martin Brodeur, he’s just dancing over there. It’s too bad there was no music.”

I mean I did start to laugh hysterically from this comment about Avery. Haha.

Caps will turtle all night when Avery is causing mischeif. They want to draw as many penalties as they can. Hopefully Sean can keep his cool and just do what he does best. Agitate between the whistles.

Now that I have watched the highlights of the Devils game, I can see where Brodeur would be upset. That third goal for Carolina definitely should have been disallowed for goalie interference, as the Hurricanes player crashed right into Brodeur, taking a Devil in with him. The highlights don’t show what Brodeur was complaining about on the last goal, but I’m pretty sure that was alright. That tantrum was almost as good as Tuukka Rask from earlier this season when he was playing for Providence.

Fitzy – Versus is blacked out in the local markets and replaced with WEC. For some reason, they had exclusive coverage of the Sharks-Ducks last night, which may be the only time for them in the opening round. I guess their local coverages didn’t want to do every game, since they’re in California, even though travel is short.

The Rangers need to come out tonight and take it to the Caps. We have really just been sitting back in this series so far. If the Rangers want to make any kind of run farther into these playoffs they need to up their anty tonight and every other night hence forward. They will never beat Boston playing the way they have so far.

I won’t settle for anything other then a win tonight. We’ve seen the Rangers play plenty harder then this before. Also, we need an active crowd to night at the Garden. It doesn’t hurt if we try and get the first goal too. ha

First beard ever, and I made Carps slide show. The boss asked if my razor broke? Maybe a goate is a better option. Ha. My daughter doesn’t like it either, but its not coming off.
Rangers are going to come out hitting tonight, and attacking the net!!!!!
Just once I want to see Zherdev shoot on net and score. I would like to see him wake up in the playoffs.
Drury is all heart, I hope his wrist/hand isn’t going to hold him back. I still think Anisimov should be available just in case, don’t ya think?

No Country – ha! I woke up at 10 and had some coffee and I’ve been wired ever since. I finished everything I had to around the house yesterday afternoon…but now I am thinking that wasn’t such a good idea, because now I’ve got nothing to do! Oh well.

I always find that the last 30 minutes are the worst! Trying to make it thru the Rangers pregame is like torture. Especially after you already know everything their going to tell you.

Again I plead, DROP THE PUCK! LET’S GO RANGERS!!

Sioux – I agree, where has Zherdev been? Can the guy PLEASE score a goal. I’m begging you. I agree with you about Anisimov too. If Drury can’t go out there and give it his all then maybe they should consider calling up Anisimov? I’d rather have him IN over Voros. Anisimov and Antropov would be sweet together. I’d love to see that duo. Sather really needs to make sure he resigns Antropov. So far he has made a much bigger impact since the trade deadling then Zherdev has in an entire season.

Has anyone addressed the fact that in Sunday’s NY Times job section there was an advertisement for Asst. GM for NY Rangers — they were looking for a law background. What’s up with that? Who’s coming/going?

What the hell is Drury doing in the lineup again, I admire is toughness and all, but he is going to be completely useless out there again tonite. Maybe Girardi can actually shoot the puck on net tonite and not into the shinpads of a Caps player. Someone tell Zherdev there is a game tonite, he is in the lineup, and that he is allowed to score goals.

One point stood out while watching game three; the style of play the Rangers need to employ to beat this explosive Caps team is much easier applied on the road. The pressure to succeed (read: score) sucks players up the ice & away from their checking responsibilities. It is much easier to be disciplined when you aren’t trying to please almost 19,000 screaming fans.

I hope Torts can get that message through to his players by 7 PM tonight.

CCCP- I would agree with that assesment. It is probably just nerves. We all know the Rangers can’t come out and play the way they did in game 3 and have any hope of winning game 4. So, I think it is just nervousness and anxiety that is seeping into our heads. I have a lot of faith in Torts, but I am praying he got the message thru to those bunch of panzies. (Minus a few bright stars, ie. Cally & Dubie)

Anyone know what the rule is regarding high sticks? I know JD always said that a player is responsible for his stick, but Michaletti said that a follow through is not penalized- should Ovechkin have gotten 4 there?

Avery would have gotten 4 but lets not dwell on the poor officiating. I’m going to try my hardest to not flip out about every call but i think in that Roszival/Ovechkin situation it should have definitely been at least 2

Patrick, the old diarrhea excuse doesn’t work. Trust me, I have tried.

Look No Country, if you have a high pain tolerance, this is what you do. You walk out to your car to get something, bring a water bottle with you if it isn’t raining outside. When you go out, dump the water all over the ground and step in it to get your shoes nice and wet. Throw the bottle down next to it, to make it looks like some irresponsible person did it. When you come back inside, and this is where the high tolerance for pain comes in to play, you take a header down the stairs because your shoes were all wet.

To really sell it, you have to get really angry at (the person) who left the water bottle right in front of the entrance of the school.

No Country… The movie you are thinking of was the last boyscout. The program kicked a$$ and who can forget the classic line, “A-D-D-I-D-A-S. Addidas. See? I can read.” TO which the linebacker responds, “I taught him that.”

1) if you have kids, one of them is waiting for you in the principals office because he/she pantsed a teacher. Hilarious and believable.

2) Anything involving your kids is always fair game

3) Go to the bathroom, hold your breathe and force all the blood to your head and eyes until you start sweating a bit. Walk back quickly to your office “guys ive been sick all day and i just vomitted” gtg.

Done and done.

For those about to rock: My playoff beard is all sorts of crazy all ready. it grows too quick

Yeah, definitely no penalties on follow throughs. That has been the case for a very long time. No harm, no foul. HA!

Oh and no country- Just tell them your kid/dog/mom/insertfamilymemberhere has to go to the doctors/dentist/rehab/vet today. And they have to BE at the desired destination at or before 4:30 (7:30 eastern) OR you have to wait another month and a half before they can schedule you back in.

Unlike the other arenas we don’t need glowing thundersticks to show our colors. Our colors flow from our voices as we chant & from our hearts as we are proud to wear our teams logo. WE ARE ONE FAMILY, WE ARE ALL NEW YORK RANGERS! SO TONIGHT CHANT & SHOUT AS WE LOUD AS YOU WANT! FOR WE ARE THE 7TH PLAYER TONIGHT! LETS GO RANGERS!!!!!!

Thanks for all the great suggestions guys. I think I am just going to blow it off and deal with it tomorrow.

and thanks dudley, i though the program might have been the wrong movie.

maybe the Rangers should switch to cotton uniforms

Costanza: The uniforms! Did you see how they played? Listen to these comments! Wade Boggs: What a fabric! Finally we can breathe. Luis Palonia: Cotton is King. Paul O’Neill: I never dreamed anything could be so soft and fluffy

Well my friends, I am off to a, hopefully short, faculty meeting and then home to give the wife and kids a kiss, eat dinner, and watch my favorite hockey team WIN tonight. I wish you all a good rest of the day and evening, and I am sure we will all Cheer or Vent again later. My gut is telling me cheer.

When you enter a playoff series as a decided underdog you HOPE the series comes down to one big game- the Rangers have earned the right to play the big game in their building by winning the first two on the road. If they can win tonight they not only will grab a 3-1 lead,they almost surely will force the Caps into a goalie dilemma: Get eliminated in their own building with a rookie netminder who the Rangers have just solved or gamble that Theodore will find his game with their backs against the wall- both scenarios could play right into the Rangers hand. Also, we don’t know how the Rangers will play tonite but we can be pretty sure it can’t be worse than game 3. It shapes up to be a great game- let’s hope the refs don’t ruin it.

Just sent you an email with a photo attached from outside the NHL store.

For those that aren’t in NYC or in the Midtown West area there were people dressed in Rangers jerseys and a couple on rollerblades giving out the little drawstring backpacks with an insulated drink holder, a doorknob sign, coasters and I was aghast to find THUNDERSTIX. No LED in it though.

Also Fischler, Duguay and Daneyko were in the store doing a live radio show. Daneyko was peeing and moaning about Uncle Daddy getting grazed last night.

Oh and Carp, I did a search of Avery’s disciplinary history and the Kings suspended him but not the league. He was fined however. So if you want to split hairs then at least the league has never suspended him for an on-ice action. My point was that opposing fans like to think he’s out to injure other players and while he’s no saint, that hasn’t been the case throughout his career. And he certainly never cheapshotted anyone like Dale Hunter.

Beards and more beard are growing everyday , Rangers are going far this spring so if some of you are in trouble already from bosses and wives just wait til we hit the second round!!! Mine looks like crap but who knows I still could win this thing!!!!

Just as a reminder, e-mail me your “during” photos with your handle, date of the picture, and day you had stopped shaving. I’ll upload them to a webshots account and post the link during the first intermission (hey, it beats listening to Nate Robinson).

it is time for Zherdev to stop the perimeter fancy crap and drive to the net and create rebounds and penalties. I am tired of seeing him wasting his talent on circling fancy east west stickhandling that accomplishes nothing but high zone turnovers.

LIQUID, I would then rate them as the Most Shocking Rangers team in 80 years.

UES, no, I was just asking, not splitting hairs. Avery’s cheap shots are intended to annoy and aggravate, not to injure — not seriously, anyway. Not in Dale Hunter or Ulf Samuelsson or Claude Lemieux category yet.

Kypreos as a Capital was involved in one of the great synchronized fights in Rangers-Caps playoff history — he got smoked by Kris King while Mark Hardy beat the daylights out of Geoff Courtnall right in the circle at center ice.

im pumped!! i changed beers too! i am still not happy drurys playing but whattya gonna do. i think it will definitely be a low scoring game. but unless we get 2 or 3 i fear we will lose. torts should put staal on ovie for this one.

no country- i think nastys idea would be worth watching tonights game. but you know if you do it and the rangers win tonight, you gotta do it before every game! cant jinx us man.

doodie- in nhl 09- it kinda funny i sim through a lot og games, but i always have the best record, zherdev and naslund have like 80 goals 250 points each and i always sign a big star and then trade him to the islanders or whoever was the worst team and get the number 1 pick. and when they dont, i trade him after the draft to whoever got the first(or best pick).

Alright Liquid , Name the player who was drafted by the Rangers ,played 5 years for them and left ,got traded to the Oilers and then won the Stanley Cup , twice!!! His last game was the cup clinching win. Anyone else can have a go …

ues- yea i get my ass kicked on superstar. i am too used to the old school controller but ive been tryin out the joystick style slowly on medium difficulty! lol. im gettin there. when i get the hang of it i’ll try superstar again.

Mike in IA, under superstar I made it through my 2nd regular season in dynasty mode without a regulation loss but a couple of OT and S/O losses. But I also took advantage of the flaws in the trade logic to get rid of some guys (like Redden and others for Seabrook on CHI) and then signed JayBo in between my 1st and 2nd seasons (he put up 10G and 96A in his 1st season with the Rangers).

Amazingly, Ruotsalainen returned to Europe again in the fall of 1987 but came back three years later to help the Oilers win their fifth championship in 1990. As a result, Ruotsalainen is one of the few players in history who can say they captured the Stanley Cup in their final NHL game.

When I was a kiddie…a friend of mine had an authentic NY Rangers Ruotsalainen jersey….

We musta be in like 4th grade….and the Ruotsalainen name plate on the back of the jersey was sooooo long (and we were so little) that it started at his elbow, went across the top of his back, and ended at his other elbow….

The Rangers should come out tonight with a chip on the shoulder, like there b***s are twisted. Especially after Ovechkin and Backstrom ‘s stick salute the other night. That should be taken like a slap in the face. Come out playing hard and mean but SMART.

Hey. Today’s my BDay. And if any of you are looking for any last-minute gift ideas for me, I have one. I’d like Alexander Ovechkin slammed on the ice tonight. I want him brought from his happy “we won one game” smirk over there on the bench with all the other Capitals and I want him brought down to the ice, with a helmet knocked loose, and I want to look him straight in the eye and I want to tell him what a cheap, lying, no-good, rotten, fore-fleshing, low-life, snake-licking, dirt-eating, inbred, overstuffed, ignorant, blood-sucking, dog-kissing, brainless, dickless, hopeless, heartless, ugly-ass, bug-eyed, stiff-legged, spotty-lipped, bush league sack of monkey shit he is. Hallelujah. Holy shit. Where’s the Tylenol?

Last year after a Ranger win against the Islanders at the mausoleum, a fan called 1050, i think it was Brandon Tierney’s show and said half kidding They were so many Ranger fans left after the game I thought the Rangers were going to do a stick salute. Tierney said that would be low and disrepectful at a other teams rink. He is right, so why is nothing said in todays papers about that the incident Monday Night? If this is not motivation for the Rangers i dont know what is.

That bitch referee Ian Walsh must have lost a ton of money on this game!You can’t tell me he is that inept. I think a few of these referees are making a little money on the side just like the NBA refs. The common denominator with dirty referees seems to be Gary Bettman! piece of shyte. Great job by the Rangers keepin composure.